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Using My Phone Without Service

Have you checked out RingPlus as I mentioned earlier? Free ad-supported service, 300 minutes and 50 texts per month...you'll still want to conserve minutes by using Google Voice on WiFi but at least you'll have some service away from WiFi.
 
Usually, when my phone is off for longer than planned, or too long, or for an eternity 0_0 , I just use TextPlus, it's a free service and application on the Play Store that enables you to make free calls and texts.
 
i've never had cell service. the only phones i've used are phones that have been cut off by a carrier for non-payment....bad esn i think is the phrase.

i set up a google voice number, downloaded talkatone, and i've been good to go for several years now. texts and calls, never an issue. you can even text pics i've heard, but i don't know how to do that.
 
Here's an update.

I borrowed money from a family friend and paid my Verizon bill, then ported my number to Google Voice. I'm using GrooVe IP and it's working fine so far. The only problem I've found is that when I get a text, it takes a couple of minutes for me to actually receive it after the person sends it. This is using GrooVe IP. Are there any apps that I can use to handle the texting instead so I don't get that delay?

Also, are there any apps similar to Call Control that work with this method of using your phone? I've got telemarketers and bill collectors calling me all of the time, and I was using Call Control to block them. Now it doesn't work, and I'm getting harassed again...
 
boathead said:
i've never had cell service. the only phones i've used are phones that have been cut off by a carrier for non-payment....bad esn i think is the phrase.

i set up a google voice number, downloaded talkatone, and i've been good to go for several years now. texts and calls, never an issue. you can even text pics i've heard, but i don't know how to do that.
Click to expand...

Am I missing something here? How can you set up a Google Voice acct without a # to connect it to? Given the fact that you were able to do this, how did you then connect it with another phone (cut off) with out a # for that phone? Doesnt make sense.
 
Sly Drum Guy said:
Are there any apps that I can use to handle the texting instead so I don't get that delay?
Click to expand...

Talkatone, and the official Google Voice app.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.googlevoice

Also, are there any apps similar to Call Control that work with this method of using your phone? I've got telemarketers and bill collectors calling me all of the time, and I was using Call Control to block them. Now it doesn't work, and I'm getting harassed again...
Click to expand...

I think you can do it from the Google Voice website. If not you can put them in a group and set that group to screen your calls from them.

lowridn2 said:
Am I missing something here? How can you set up a Google Voice acct without a # to connect it to? Given the fact that you were able to do this, how did you then connect it with another phone (cut off) with out a # for that phone? Doesnt make sense.
Click to expand...

Google Voice doesn't require a forwarding destination number. You can just use it with Talkatone or GrooveIP on a phone without a number, or gmail on the computer, etc.
 
Is there a way to use Talkatone for JUST texts? I spent the $4.99 on GrooVe IP so I'd prefer to use that for phone calls... Maybe it has something to do with the fact that Google warned me I may not receive text messages for up to 3 days after my number was ported...

I can't install the Google Voice app on my phone. It wants to verify my phone by sending a text from it, which it can't do because I have no service plan. It asks me to sign into Google Voice, so I choose my e-mail account, then it says it needs to verify my phone number, so I hit "add this phone" and it tries to text Google Voice from my phone, which obviously won't work. :/

I'm able to block phone numbers straight from the Google Voice website, so that's good. They just have to call me first, then I can block them.

Also, does anyone know the best way to configure the microphone and speaker in GrooVe IP? I tested it today by calling a friend and there's a ton of echoing. Either they can't hear me talk at all, or they can hear themselves through their earpiece when they talk...
 
Hmm...I could swear I remember options that would make it possible to turn off receiving calls in Talkatone but I don't see them now.
 
divinebovine said:
Hmm...I could swear I remember options that would make it possible to turn off receiving calls in Talkatone but I don't see them now.
Click to expand...

I don't see any either. I'll uninstall the app for now and then if you or someone else finds the option, I'll install it again.

As for the issue of the echoing during calls, I think I have taken care of it. I had my mom call me on her cell phone and I played with the settings in GrooVe IP until the echoing problem went away. She says that there is still a bit of a "hiss" whenever I make an "S" sound, but I don't echo, and she doesn't hear herself through her own earpiece either. However, she and I both noticed a bit of lag at some points, but I assume that's to be expected because it's over WiFi.
 
divinebovine said:
Talkatone, and the official Google Voice app.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.googlevoice

Google Voice doesn't require a forwarding destination number. You can just use it with Talkatone or GrooveIP on a phone without a number, or gmail on the computer, etc.
Click to expand...

First off I want to appologize for hopping on your post Sly but I didnt know about this and I have a few questions of my own and they might even help you out as well.

As of right now I have a basic phone plan (2 phones) with Verizon. Crap phones w/ expensive service. I was looking to change over to Straight Talk which in my area is ST Verizon. With a Smartphone and a basic on ST my bill would still be about 20% less then my bill now. Heres where my delema begins..I bought a Galaxy S4 and found out it will not work on the ST BYOP deal.
Is it feasable to think if I were to set up a GoogleTalk with my existing cell # ...can I use the S4 on a wifi...download Talkatone and be able to forward calls from my cell to the S4 when in an area with wifi? In other words, use my crap phone for basic use (calls/text) when not in a wifi area but be able to use the S4 where wifi available? Better yet could I go to ST with a crappier Smartphone and use S4 as stated or is there a way to use the S4 alltogether on Verizon ST?
Sorry so much in one post but it all kinda fits into one...HELP me out Plz!!
 
lowridn2 said:
Is it feasable to think if I were to set up a GoogleTalk with my existing cell # ...can I use the S4 on a wifi...download Talkatone and be able to forward calls from my cell to the S4 when in an area with wifi? In other words, use my crap phone for basic use (calls/text) when not in a wifi area but be able to use the S4 where wifi available? Better yet could I go to ST with a crappier Smartphone and use S4 as stated or is there a way to use the S4 alltogether on Verizon ST?
Sorry so much in one post but it all kinda fits into one...HELP me out Plz!!
Click to expand...

If I understand correctly: You want to treat your S4 like a tablet with Google Voice*, port your number to Google Voice, get a dumbphone (or cheap smartphone), and forward calls from your dumbphone to Google Voice?

*: (not Google Talk, that's a totally different service)

All of that is possible, assuming ST supports call forwarding. Not all carriers/MVNOs do. I wanted to do something similar recently but was unable to make forwarding happen from Virgin Mobile. However, you'd need to turn call forwarding on and off whenever you go in and out of wifi service. It could be a pain in the butt.

Why not skip that forwarding? Tell people to always call your Google Voice number, but that sometimes you will call them from your ST number. When you're in wifi, answer GV calls on the S4. When you're not in wifi, answer GV calls on the dumbphone.
 
Now my groove ip and Google voice is not making my phone ring anymore when someone calls my gvoice number, I updated both apps. Calls out work just not incoming, my phone won't ring but I do get a notification from google voice and an email that I missed the call.
What is the other app similar to groove ip? It starts with a T.
I might need to try. TIA Y'ALL.
 
blackepoxy said:
Now my groove ip and Google voice is not making my phone ring anymore when someone calls my gvoice number, I updated both apps. Calls out work just not incoming, my phone won't ring but I do get a notification from google voice and an email that I missed the call.
What is the other app similar to groove ip? It starts with a T.
I might need to try. TIA Y'ALL.
Click to expand...

Talkatone.
 
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